Alternative Cancer Treatments

Cancer is a scary word. If you haven't experienced it firsthand, it's almost certain that you know a family member or a close friend who has. With the many forms that cancer can take, there are a number of treatments that go along with them.

Depending on the type of cancer in question, modern treatments usually include surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. Due to the pain and side effects of these treatments and their related drugs, there has been a surge of interest in learning about other therapies that can be done concurrently. Coined as "complementary" therapies, these techniques aren't to be confused with stand-alone alternative cancer treatments. Instead, they are forms of holistic healing that can improve a cancer patient’s quality of life by focusing on their physical, spiritual and emotional needs.

AskMen.com does not endorse or advocate any of these suggested alternative complementary treatments. They should always be discussed in detail with a medical professional or a certified holistic health practitioner.

Massage therapy

Massages have been long-known to bring excellent physical benefits to anyone who gets a healthy rubdown. The careful kneading of our tissues through Oriental-based shiatsu or Swedish styles increases overall circulation, loosens stiff joints and can ease nagging and chronic pain. It's no wonder that a regular 60-minute massage can bring with it a plethora of positives for someone being treated for cancer.

A good massage will aid cancer patients on a psychological and physical level. Because it's a comforting act in itself, massages will quickly ease stress and induce feelings of relaxation and tranquility. Physically, the aforementioned increase in circulation can actually increase the potency of the immune system and thereby improve overall health. In addition, some patients find that a massage can help them get much-needed rest, while others will leave a session with an added sense of energy. More research needs to be done on massage therapy as a form of complementary cancer treatment, but it's worth noting that early studies have shown that shiatsu techniques can make it more difficult for tumors to grow. Until there are more answers, cancer patients can still reap the benefits of the massage, so long as they avoid it right after surgery or chemotherapy treatments.

Thermotherapy

The use of heat for the healing of illnesses has had a place in society since ancient Greece and the early days of Native American culture. The Greeks believed that inducing fevers could reduce the harms of more serious infections and the Native Americans used sweat lodges for their own heat-based medicine. The underlying theme from each was that heating the body is one step in its overall purification. Today, the modern use of heat to treat cancer is called thermotherapy and it can be an effective complementary cancer treatment.